Box-plate.



PATENTED JULY 25, 1905. H. MoGANN. Y

BOX PLATE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

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No. 795,720. PATENTED JULY 25, 1905.

H. MoGANN.

BOX PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED MATH), 1904.

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UNITED STATES HARRY McCANN, OF HAMILTON, CANADA.

BOX-PLATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1905.

Application fil d May 19, 1904. Serial No. 208,771.

To all w l'tom/ it nuty concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY MGOANN, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Hamilton, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented a new anduseful Box-Plate, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to What are known as box-plates, a number of which are combined to form a supporting structure or mold for the formation of mortar,cement, concrete,or other plastic material in suitable shapes as, for instance, the walls or other parts of a building.

The primary object of the invention is to produce box-plates having novel structural characteristics securing a maximum of strength and stiffness with a minimum of weight in order to facilitate their organization in an extensive structure and to insure the requisite stability of the structure when completed.

- A further objectof the invention is to improve the means whereby the rigid connec tion of the plates is effected and to include provision whereby box-plates of irregular dimensions may be employed where necessary and secured to the adjoining box-plates without reference to the particular location of the bolt-openings in the latter.

Still further objects subordinate to those enumerated will appear during the course of the succeeding description of the illustrated embodiments of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a box-plate constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 isa longitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4; 4: of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of what may be known as an irregular box-plate. Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 7 is a section on the line77 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the plate shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of an outside corner-plate. Fig. 11 is a similar view of an inside corner-plate. Fig. 12 is a section of a curved plate. Fig. 13 is a sectional view of a straight end plate. Fig. 14 is a similar view of an enlarging or reducing plate. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of a curved enlarging or reducing plate. Fig. 16 is a sectional view of a joint between two plates assembled to form a straight wall.

Fig. 17 is a similar view of a joint between two outside cornerplates; and Fig. 18 is still another view of this character, showing the joint between two inside corner-plates.

Like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to A, inclusive, 1 indicates the box-plate having a plain flat front face 2 and a marginal flange 3, which, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, extends at right angles to the front face of the plate and has a plain outer surface 1, designed to abut against the corresponding marginal flanges of adjacent box-plates. The marginal flanges 3 of the plates are sufliciently extensive to stiflen the structure at the joints, as shown in Fig. 16, and adjacent plates are connected by bolts 5, passed through alined bolt-holes 6 in the abutting flanges of the plates. The marginal flange 3 of each box-plate is wider at the sides of the plate than at the ends thereof to assist in withstanding the weight of the superposed plates, and in order to further stiflfen the structure the base of the flange is comparatively wide or thick, as indicated at 7 in Figs. 3 and 4-that is to say, the inner corner defined by the juncture of the plate and its marginal flange 3 is not sharp, but, on the contrary, suflicient metal is left to produce a curved face 8, one edge of which intersects the inner surface of the flange at or about the line of the bolt-holes 6 and the other edge of which merges into the rear surface of the box-plate.

The described formation of the box-plate at its outer edges lends great rigidity thereto,and

as it is also desired to strengthen or reinforce the plate at its middle its rear face is made to incline gradually from the curved corner faces 8 to a central apex 9, the body of the box-plate being thus materially thickened at the latter point. flange 3 is braced by what may be termed brace-flanges 10, arranged in series along each side and end of the box-plate. 'Each series of these flanges or braces 10 is composed of equidistant parallel members or units extending at right angles to that portion of the marginal flange braced thereby. The braceflanges 10 are clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 4, wherein it will be noted that their rear edges 11, or, in other words, theirouter faces,

extend in a gradual curve from the rear inncr corner of the marginal flange 3 to the rear surface of the box-plate, with which they The marginal or connecting merge at points substantially midway between the apex 9 and the curved corner face 8. This statement is true except as to the end pairs of brace-flanges of each series. Obviously as the flanges 10, extending from the ends and sides of the plate, are disposed at right angles to each other certain of them will intersect. In the present instance each corner of the plate is braced by reason of the intersection of two pairs of brace-flanges, the inward curvature of the meeting edges of which is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. I at '12.

Thus it will be seen that the box-plate is thickest at its center and is stiffened by a marginal connecting-flange integral with the plate and stiffened by a comparatively wide or thick base and that the flange is stiffened and the plate reinforced by brace flanges which back the marginal flange at each side and end of the plate and intersect at the corners of the plate to further rigidify the structure.

As has been stated, a number of box-plates constructed as described are connected, as shown in Fig. 16, to form one of two walls between which a plastic structure is molded, the box-plates of opposite walls being preferably connected by tie-rods, (not illustrated,) for the reception of which each plate is formed with rod-holes 13, located intermediate of the brace-flanges 10 and at the apex of the plate, respectively. 1

The box-plate which has just been described and which is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and 16 is what is known as aplain or straight box-plate and is employed in connection with many others of similar construction in the formation of a wall of the desired extent. It will be obvious, however, that plates of other forms will be required at the corners of the mold or box-plate structure or for producing curved faces on the plastic material or for enlarging or reducing, as the case may be, the dimensions of different portions of the cast or molded form. In all cases, however, the leading characteristics of the described box-plate are preserved. For instance, plates designed for use in various relations have some distinctive features which especially adapt them for such use, but they all, nevertheless, are stiffened by a thickening of the metal at the center of the plate, are provided with marginal flanges,'and are additionally strengthened by brace-flanges extending from the marginal flange toward the opposite edge of the plate anddiminishing toward the body of the plate from the outer or rear edge of the marginal flange. For instance, in Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, is illustrated a box-plate of what is known as an irregular sizethat is to say, abox-plate designed to be employed at some point to fill an opening larger than a box-plate of standard size and too small to be filled by a plurality of said plates. This irregular plate is substantially like that degroove or channel.

scribed except that the curvature at the base of that portion of the marginal flange extending along the top and bottom sides of the plate is omitted, as well as the upper and lower series of brace-flanges. Instead, the back of the plate is formed with inclined ledges 14 and 15, designed to support boltslides 16, each having onits under face a dovetailed projection or tongue 17, fitting in a dovetailed. groove 18, extending longitudinally of the ledge 14:, which latter is formed with a cut-away portion or opening 19 at one side of the groove or channel 18 to facilitate the introduction of the tongue 17 into its Each bolt-slide 16 is provided with a vertical bolt-flange 20, imposed against the inner face of the marginal flange 3 and provided with a bolt-hole 21, designed to be presented in apposition to either of a pair of alined bolt-slots 22, formed in the marginal flange, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9.

It will of course be apparent from the irregular or unusual dimensions of the plate shown in Fig. 5 that it would be impossible to provide the upper and lower connectingflanges thereof with bolt-holes which would properly aline with the bolt-holes of adjacent plates. It is for this reason that the irregular box-plate has its side flanges, or those portions of the marginal flange located at the u pper and lower sides of the plate, formed with slots through which the connecting-bolts may extend at anydesired points and pass through the bolt-slides, which may obviously be shifted laterally to bring them into proper position to accommodate the bolts irrespective of the location of the latter. Of course when the slides have been positioned and the bolts passed therethrough and connected, as by nuts in the usual manner, the slides will be rigidly clamped against the marginal flange of the plate, and said plate will thus be retained against accidental displacement.

At the opposite ends of the irregular plate the marginal flange is pierced by bolt-openings 6, as in the form of plate previously described. Likewise the back of the plate isinclined toward a central apex 9 and is formed with openings 13 for the tie-rods.

In Fig. 10 is shown an outside corner-plate, the only essential difference between which and the plate shown in the first four figures is that the marginal connecting-flange is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to the body of the plate and that the edges of the brace-flanges are straight instead of curved. Outside corner-plates of this character are con-' nected in angular relation to form an outside corner, as shown in Fig. 17. In Fig. 11 is shown an inside corner-plate, the marginal flanges of which instead of being disposed in obtuse angular relation to the body of the plate are acutely inclined, the construction of the inside and outside corner-plates being otherwise the same, except that the braceflanges of the said plate extend somewhat farther toward the center or apex of the plate. The inside corner-plates are designed to be connected, as shown in Fig. 18, to form an inside corner. As to both the inside and outside corner-plates it may be stated that the marginal flange may be inclined along any or all of the edges of the plate, according to the situation in which the latter is to be used.

In Fig. 12 is shown a curved plate-that is to say, the body of the plate is of arcuate form and the marginal flanges are disposed radially with respect to the axis from which the arc is struck. This plate is particularly useful when it is necessary to impart a curved contour to the concrete or other structure, and if a cylindrical pillar is desired a number of plates like those shown in Fig. 12 and having the desired curvature are connected by their marginal flanges to form a cylindrical mold.

In Fig. 13 is shown what is known as a straight end plate, the marginal flanges of which are located in substantially the plane of the plate. This form of plate is sometimes useful in closing the end of a space between two parallel walls made up of plain box-plates of the form shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1% is shown what is known as an enlarging or reducing box-plate and is similar to that shown in Fig. 1 except that the upper and lower portions 23 and 2A of the plate are located in difl'erent planes and are connected by the intermediate inclined portion 25. r

In Fig. 15 is shown a curved enlarging or reducing plate, which is similar to the plate in Fig. 15 except that the intermediate portion 26 is curved instead of inclined.

It is believed to be unnecessary to enter into an extended explanation of the particular relations in which these several forms of plates are specially useful, since it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that in molding walls of various dimensions and configurations the mold formed by the box-plates must conform to the shape desired to be imparted to the plastic material and since the shapes of the individual plates and the disposition of their connecting-flanges readily suggests their particular utility.

It is thought that from the foregoing the construction, mode of use, and special advantages of my box-plates will be fully comprehended; but while the illustrated embodiments of the invention are thought at this time to be preferable I desire to effect such changes, modifications, and variations thereof as may come fairly within the scope of the protection prayed.

What I claim is 1. A box-plate having a thickened center, a marginal connecting-flange provided with bolt-holes, and brace-flanges backing the connecting-flange and diminishing in height as they recede therefrom.

2. A box-plate provided with an adjustable device retained thereby and designed to be engaged by a plate-connecting member.

3. A box-plate provided with a marginal flange formed with a slot, and a bolt-slide adjustable upon the plate and adapted to receive a plate-connecting member passed through the slot.

4. A box-plate having a slotted connectingflange, and a bolt-slide having interfitting engagement with the plate and adjustable along the slot.

5. A box-plate having a slotted connectingflange extending around the entiremargin of the plate and disposed at an angle thereto, and a bolt-slide having sliding engagement with the plate and abutted against the connecting-flange to receive a connecting-bolt passed through the slot.

6. A box-plate having a thickened center, a slotted connecting flange, brace flanges backing the connecting-flange, and an adjustable bolt-slide.

7. A rectangular box-plate having a flange extending around its entire margin, said flange having bolt-holes at opposite ends of the plate and bolt-slots at opposite sides of the plate, brace-flanges backing the connecting-flange, and bolt-slides adjustable opposite the slots.

8. In combination, a plurality of box-plates each having an integral connecting-flange extending around its entire margin, integral brace-flanges extending inwardly from the connecting-flange at the sides and ends of the plates, respectively, and diminishing in height as they recede 'from the connecting-flange, and bolts passed through and securing the opposed connecting-flanges of contiguous plates in parallel relation.

9. In combination, aplurality of box-plates each having a thickened center, a marginal connecting-flange and brace-flanges backing the connecting-flange, and boltspassed trans versely through opposed connecting-flanges of contiguous plates to rigidly connect said flanges in parallel relation.

10. A box-plate provided with a marginal connecting-flange having means facilitating the attachment of said plate to another plate contiguous thereto, brace-flanges extending inwardly from the connecting-flange, and tierod openings piercing the body of the plate.

11. A box-plate cast in a single piece and having a marginal connecting-flange disposed at an angle thereto, said flange being thickened at its juncture with the plate, and said plate being gradually thickened from the base of the connecting-flange to an apex at the center of the plate.

12. A box-plate cast in a single piece and having a marginal connecting-flange disposed at an angle thereto, said flange being thickened at its juncture with the plate, and said plate being gradually thickened from the base of the connecting-flange to an apex at the center of the plate, and integral brace-flanges extending inwardly from the marginal connecting-flange at the sides and ends of the plate.

1 13. A box-plate cast in a single piece and formed with an integral connecting-flange extending around its entire margin, and braceflanges integral with the connecting-flange and plate, and diminishing in height until they reach and merge With the surface of the plate, said connecting-flange having bolt-openings located at points intermediate of the braceflanges.

14. A box-plate, having a thickened center, a marginal connecting-flange, brace-flanges extending inwardly from the connectingfiange, and bolt-openings extending through the connecting-flange at points intermediate of the brace-flanges.

15. A box-plate provided With a marginal connecting-flange, brace-flanges extending inwardly from the connecting-flange, bolt-openings in the connecting-flange at points intermediate of the brace-flanges, and tie-rod openings piercing the body of the plate.

a plate-connecting member.

17. A box-plate provided With a bolt-slot and with a bolt-slide connected to the plate and adjustable along the slot.

18. A box-plate provided with a marginal flange having a longitudinal slot, and means retained by the plate to engage a plate-connecting member passed through the slot at any point in its length.

19. A box-plate cast in a single piece and formed with an integral connecting-flange extending around its entire margin, and braceflanges integral With the connecting-flange and plate, said brace-flanges merging at their inner ends with the surface of the plate, said connecting-flange having bolt-openings located at points intermediate of the braceflanges, and said plate having one or more tierod openings piercing the middle portion of the plate beyond the inner ends of the braceflanges.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY MoCANN.

Witnesses:

LINDLIY HARPER, GORDON S. WRIGHT. 

